Vauxhall reveals Astra GTC 08 | 06 | 2011
THIS IS OUR first official look at the UK-developed Astra GTC, Vauxhall's three-door coupe which will go head-to-head with the Renault Mégane coupé and Volkswagen Scirocco.
Due to arrive in Scottish Vauxhall dealerships in near the end of this year, the order books have already been opened. Prices start at £18,495 for the 118bhp 1.4 Sport, rising to £22,930 for the diesel SRI. The Scirocco range starts at £19,575 for the 1.4 TSI; Mégane coupé prices start at £18,230 for the 1.4 TCe.
Perhaps, as you might expect, Vauxhall claims the Astra GTC will be the most dynamic car in its class when it’s launched later this year.
Quite amazingly, all that remains from the GTC’s five-door sister car are the door handles and roof aerial. With a 10mm longer wheelbase, the GTC also has a 10mm lower ride height, and the track is 40mm wider at the front and 30mm wider at the rear.
The Astra GTC also gets FlexRide adaptive damping that automatically adjusts to differing road surfaces and driving styles, with three driving modes — Standard, Sport and Tour — offered at the touch of a button.
The production car — seen here in these official photographs for the first time — also contains no body panels which have been carried over from the five-door; it also remains faithful in its styling to last year’s well received GTC Paris concept designed by Opel/Vauxhall design chief Mark Adams.
There's a comprehensive selection of engines, including a 118bhp or 138bhp 1.4 petrol, a 178bhp 1.6 petrol and a 2.0 diesel with 163bhp. Final performance figures have yet to be confirmed, but the 1.6 petrol will hit 132mph.
Not surprisingly, it's the diesel which is likely to be the best all-rounder, offering 0-62mph in 8.9sec and a 130mph top speed, plus CO2 emissions of 129g/km and 57.6mpg combined economy. All GTCs will have stop-start and a six-speed manual gearbox as standard.
Standard kit on And even the entry-level Sport models have a high standard spec, including 18in alloys, a DAB stereo and an electronic parking brake. Top-spec SRI models get tinted glass, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and foglamps. Bi-xenon lights are optional across the range.
And as far as accommodation is concerned, Vauxhall claims the GTC has space for four adults in comfort and their luggage, despite its sleek profile. Boot space is 370 litres, increasing to 1235 litres with the rear seats folded.
CLICK HERE to see more official photographs of the Astra GTC
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Jamie Edwardes